Criminally Obsessed

Criminally Obsessed
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Criminally Obsessed goes deeper — inside the investigations, the courtroom drama, and the human stories at the center of the country’s biggest true crime cases. We track breaking developments, uncover overlooked details, and bring clarity to the chaos — always with compassion for victims and the people whose lives are forever changed. Host Anne Emerson brings more than 30 years of award-winning investigative reporting to every episode. She’s covered the nation’s most high-profile trials firsthand, conducted interviews with some of the biggest names in the true crime world — from Amanda Knox to Elizabeth Smart — and has trusted sources connected to the cases dominating the national conversation.

  1. 29 MIN AGO

    Rex Heuermann's Plea, Fire Island Jane Doe and a DNA Breakthrough

    Yesterday, on April 8th 2026, the world watched as Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty to the killings of eight women on Long Island, New York. Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne watched in real time, in court with the man we can now call the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer.  She takes us into that room and explains what it was like - Rex Heuermann’s “overly confident” demeanor as he confirms his killings, his body language, and reactions from his own ex-wife and daughter along with victims’ family members. As a reporter who followed this case from the beginning, Kristin reacts to the day’s events with our host Anne Emerson. We also speak with Dr. David Mittelman of Othram forensic genetic genealogy labs, instrumental in identifying Heuermann’s eighth victim, Karen Vergata. He gives us a glimpse into the years of work it took to give Karen back her name. Watch our coverage of the Gilgo Beach Murders Learn more about Othram Follow Kristin Thorne

    53 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    “Oh, You Like Serial Killers?” Chilling Questions Rex Heuermann Asked Date

    We now know what many of us have long suspected - Rex Heuermann IS the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer.  Today, Wednesday April 8th, 2026, Heuermann pleaded guilty to strangling eight women on Long Island, New York. We anticipated a guilty plea to the murders of seven women, but he also pleaded guilty to intentionally causing the death of an eighth victim, Karen Vergata. He will be sentenced on June 17th, 2026. As the true crime world watches these breaking updates unfold in real time, investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with a woman who could have been one of these victims; who came face to face with Heuermann years before his arrest, and survived. Nikkie Brass shares her chilling experience from a 2015 ‘sugar baby’ date with Heuermann - his staggering appearance and demeanor, his disturbing comments about serial killers and the Gilgo beach killings, and the instincts that she believes kept her safe that night. Listen for a shocking firsthand account tied to a man we can now call the Long Island Serial Killer.

    31 min

  3. 1 DAY AGO

    Lori Vallow Daybell Psych Profile: Inside her "Supernatural Encounters"

    Newly released jailhouse bodycam video is raising questions - and eyebrows - about the mental state and belief system of “doomsday mom” Lori Vallow Daybell. The footage from July 2025 shows her being cited for contraband in prison, including M&Ms, gum, and self-proclaimed “miracle” toothpaste that appeared after she prayed for it. Vallow Daybell is serving time for murdering her two children, Tylee Ryan & JJ Vallow, whom she believed were “zombies,” as well the murder of her first husband Charles Vallow, her current husband’s first wife Tammy Daybell, and the attempter murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.  Investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by Lauren and Dr. John Matthias from the Hidden True Crime podcast to analyze this bizarre video. Dr. Matthias lends his forensic psychology expertise to unravel what we’ve all been wondering since the beginning: does Lori Vallow Daybell actually believe the things that come out of her mouth? How did her psychological profile play a role in her horrific crimes… and how does her mental state affect her attorney’s ongoing fight to overturn her murder conviction? Hear more from Lauren and Dr. John Matthias on Hidden True Crime podcast

    34 min

  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    "I Don't Want a Murderer to Go Free" Attorney Believes Alex Murdaugh Conviction Will Be Overturned

    If South Carolina's Supreme Court Justices decide to overturn Alex Murdaugh's double murder conviction, what happens next? And who called Alex in the days after those oral arguments? Investigative Reporter, Anne Emerson filed a FOIA request and will tell you who he spoke with in this episode of Criminally Obsessed. But, as we anxiously await the state Supreme Court's decision, Anne spoke with attorney Eric Bland, who represented several of Murdaugh’s financial victims. He says the possibility of Murdaugh ever walking free is more complicated than many think. And the decision could eventually be up to the state's next Attorney General because the one who tried Murdaugh, Alan Wilson, is running for Governor. Following this interview, Anne reached out to each South Carolina attorney general candidate for comment - that’s David Stumbo (R), David Pascoe (R), Steven Goldfinch Jr. (R), and Richard Hricik (D). At the time of publishing, Monday April 6th 2026, here’s the response we received from Stephen Goldfinch Jr.: Thank you for reaching out. Based on what I know so far and what I saw from the trial, I would retry the case. Without a living victim, I believe there is a strong, almost immutable presumption to seek justice for the deceased victims. Yes, it's true that Alex will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for financial crimes. But that's not justice for the deceased victims. Yes, It's true it will cost to retry him; but what is the societal cost of not retrying him? Based on what I know from the trial, a case like this should be retried. We’ll keep you updated as we hear from the others, and when we get these highly anticipated updates on the appeal. Catch up on our ongoing coverage of all things Murdaugh

    37 min

  5. 2 APR

    Former Detective Believes “People of Interest” in Brian Shaffer Disappearance Knew Him

    On the night of April 1, 2006, the 27-year-old Ohio State medical student Brian Shaffer went out with friends to the Ugly Tuna Saloona. Surveillance cameras captured him inside, laughing and socializing. But when the night ended, something chilling became clear—Brian was never seen leaving.  His friends searched for him that night but eventually went home without answers. From that moment on, Brian Shaffer was never seen or heard from again.  An intense investigation followed, with massive searches, national attention, and a reward that eventually reached $100,000. But in the years since, no confirmed sightings, no financial activity, and no answers have ever surfaced.  Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson talked to former detective John Hurst about Brian’s disappearance, what we know 20 years later, and why people who have information on Brian's disappearance might hesitate to come forward.  If you have tips in the disappearance of Brian Shaffer, call the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4545.  Share Brian’s missing person poster from the FBI.

    39 min

  6. 1 APR

    “I'm Not Accepting No For An Answer” — A Daughter's Fight to Solve Her Mom's Cold-Case Murder

    Marla Waldman-Conn was 7-years-old when her mom was murdered in their Long Island home.  For years, she wasn’t really allowed to talk about it.  Her dad remarried.  The years went by.  Her mom’s case went cold.  She was told to forget about it.  But she had to find out who killed Barbara Waldman, because she was someone, her mom and her life mattered.  So she set out to learn everything she could about investigating murders.  And she saw the words, BE PERSISTENT.  She became relentless and admits she was obsessed, but that drive paid off.  Her mom’s case was reopened after 50 years and solved in 2026.  Thomas Generazio, a sanitation worker who lived 3.7 miles away, bound and shot Barbara Waldman.  So how did Marla solve her mom’s case?  What was that connection she made that became the aha moment in the investigation? Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson delves into the case and relives that moment with Marla where she knew it was Thomas and there was no denying it. We also hear what's next for Marla, because her search for justice goes beyond her mother's murder. We'll keep you updated on her efforts to find other victims, because as she told us about Generazio, "He's been many places and done many things. I know there are others." Learn more about the case and how Marla found answers after 50 years.

    45 min

  7. 31 MAR

    What Will the Suspected Long Island Serial Killer Admit To? Inside Rex Heuermann's Guilty Plea

    Rex Heuermann was arrested in 2023 in connection to the Gilgo Beach murders. The case dates back more than a decade, when the disappearance of a woman in Long Island, New York led to the discovery of multiple bodies along the South Shore, bringing the known victim count to seven. He is now expected to plead guilty on April 8, 2026. Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne joins Criminally Obsessed’s Anne Emerson to share what struck her the first time she saw Heuermann — a towering presence compared to the petite victims he’s accused of targeting — and to break down the chilling details that helped investigators close in. From the evidence that tied him to the case to the disturbing “notes to self” that allegedly outlined careful planning, we also explore the question that still lingers: could there be more victims? Watch Part 1 of our conversation with Kristin Thorne to hear how it all started and what led investigators to Rex Heuermann “Lock The Doors” — Reporter’s Firsthand Account Of The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case

    31 min

  8. 30 MAR

    “Lock The Doors” — Reporter’s Firsthand Account Of The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case

    The Long Island Serial Killer case - also known as the Gilgo Beach murders - is back in the spotlight. We’ve learned that Rex Heuermann, accused of seven murders, is expected to plead guilty to these grisly crimes on April 8th, 2026. What began 16 years ago with a missing woman in Long Island, New York led investigators to a chilling discovery along Ocean Parkway: the skeletal remains of multiple women, many of them sex workers, in what would become one of the most disturbing serial killer cases in recent true crime history.  For years, the suspect known as LISK remained unidentified - until 2023, when police arrested an architect, husband, and father accused of nearly unthinkable acts of violence. Now, with a potential guilty plea looming, Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson revisits how the Gilgo Beach killings were first uncovered. Joined by Investigative Reporter Kristin Thorne who has covered the case since the initial discoveries, part one of this interview breaks down the origins of the Long Island Serial Killer investigation and what could come next in this shocking case.

    32 min
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Criminally Obsessed goes deeper — inside the investigations, the courtroom drama, and the human stories at the center of the country’s biggest true crime cases. We track breaking developments, uncover overlooked details, and bring clarity to the chaos — always with compassion for victims and the people whose lives are forever changed. Host Anne Emerson brings more than 30 years of award-winning investigative reporting to every episode. She’s covered the nation’s most high-profile trials firsthand, conducted interviews with some of the biggest names in the true crime world — from Amanda Knox to Elizabeth Smart — and has trusted sources connected to the cases dominating the national conversation.

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  • Creator
    Criminally Obsessed
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    40
  • Copyright
    © Sinclair Inc.
  • Show Website
    Criminally Obsessed

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